title: Comparing acquisition of exchange-based and signed mands with children with autism.
abstract: Therapists and educators frequently teach alternative-communication systems, such as picture exchanges or manual signs, to individuals with developmental disabilities who present with expressive language deficits. Michael (1985) recommended a taxonomy for alternative communication systems that differentiated between selection-based systems in which each response is topographically identical (e.g., card selection and exchange systems) and topography-based systems in which each response is topographically distinct (e.g., signed language). We compared the efficiency of training picture exchanges and signs with 3 participants who presented with severe language deficits; all participants acquired the picture-exchange responses more readily.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University.
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.forename: Jeffrey H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tiger
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Slocum
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Miller
keywords: autism; mands; picture exchanges; selection-based communication; signs; topography-based communication; verbal behavior